Chapter 23: Reunion with Teacher Lilia (*)

The new headmistress Lilia Shurisupu continued her greeting without showing any particular interest in Kaito.

“I am also a former holy knight Paladin. I’ve experienced the same doubts and worries that all the holy knight candidates here are facing right now. As someone who has lived the life of a holy knight and the daily life with a hero Chevalier partner, I can listen to your concerns as a senior. The headmistress’s office is always open. If you have any troubles, feel free to knock anytime. And to the hero Chevalier candidates. My late husband had only slightly more life force than an ordinary man. Even so, he fought as a hero Chevalier for nearly ten years—not in rear support, but on the front lines. My husband was constantly researching how a hero could live longer. I intend to incorporate the results of that research into this academy’s curriculum.”

When Lilia left the room, the classroom immediately started buzzing. Kaito wanted to chase after her right away, but he figured she would be busy with greetings and handover duties, so he stayed seated.

“Kaito. If my memory is correct, the new headmistress is your…”

Stefan spoke to him in a low voice, careful not to let others catch on.

“Yeah, she’s my master. I trained under her for two years. Everything I am today is thanks to her. She was strict in some ways, but incredibly kind.”

“I see. Then I’m looking forward to what’s coming. I’d love to experience the training you went through too.”

Kaito nodded silently. But inside he was thinking about something else. The hero Chevalier who had been Lilia Shurisupu’s husband—Paul Shurisupu—was known as the “Lazy Hero.” Normally a hero had to drink aphrodisiacs every day, yet Paul only took them once or twice a week. Still, when it truly mattered he performed brilliantly, earning high praise from parts of the military. In fact, there were more than a few cases where he single-handedly turned around losing battles. Even the legendary hero Walter Wackenheim seemed to hold him in high regard.

However, the military top brass and the nobility took offense at the idea of systematically managing heroes. Front-line deployment was supposed to be on a rotation, but Paul was never allowed to rotate out and was kept on the front until his life force finally ran dry.

(Of course the military leadership must know that Lilia-sensei was Paul Shurisupu’s holy knight. So why was this appointment approved…?)

With insufficient information, only a few hypotheses came to mind. He assumed he would be called to the headmistress’s office eventually and stopped thinking about it for now.

He was summoned to the headmistress’s office two days later. His heart beat a little faster at the long-awaited reunion. She was the first woman he had ever known. The feel of that sweet, voluptuous body was still unforgettable. Along with his racing pulse, his cock began to react. But the moment he knocked and entered the room, the throbbing in his groin instantly died down. Someone else was there besides Lilia.

“First-year top hero Chevalier Kaito, thank you for coming. Please take the seat next to her.”

A guest was already seated in the reception chair—first-year top holy knight Paladin Elfina Rogueia. As he sat down beside her, Lilia gave a small smile. She was just as beautiful as she had been eight months ago.

“It’s been a while, Kaito. I’m glad to see you looking well.”

“You too, sensei… Congratulations on your appointment as headmistress.”

With Elfina present, he couldn’t speak to her in the casual tone he used before. Since it was right after her appointment, he decided it was best not to cause any trouble. But Lilia chuckled softly.

“You don’t need to be so stiff. Elfina already knows you were my student. Actually, the reason I was able to become headmistress was thanks to the efforts of the previous headmistress Reda and the backing of the Rogueia Marquis family.”

“Elfina’s family?”

Kaito was surprised by the unexpected information. He had guessed Reda Factlin had played some role, but he never imagined the Rogueia Marquis house would be involved.

“I’ve actually been distantly related to the Rogueia family for a long time. I’ve received help from the current head, Lord William Rogueia, for years. I even changed Elfina’s diapers when she was a baby. This appointment was also strongly recommended by Lord Rogueia and the hero Walter Wackenheim.”

“O-onee-sama! You don’t have to bring up the diaper story…”

Ignoring the embarrassed Elfina, Kaito fell into thought. He now understood why Lilia—who should have been watched by the military’s central command—was able to become headmistress. What he didn’t understand was Lord Rogueia’s true intention. He must have used considerable political power. What was the reason for pushing Lilia this hard?

“Kaito. You’ve become quite ‘well-behaved’ since we last met, haven’t you? The old you would have spoken your mind without considering time or place… It’s fine. If you have something to say, speak up.”

“I don’t understand Lord Rogueia’s aim. He must have used real influence to back you. What is the reason for going that far? Just because his daughter is a student here feels too weak a motive.”

“…Kaito-san. Are you trying to speak ill of my father? I won’t allow it.”

Elfina made a scary face. Kaito understood. He had always felt Lilia and Elfina shared a similar aura, and seeing that expression made it clear.

“I’m not trying to speak ill of him. But surviving in noble society requires real wisdom. The position of marquis isn’t sweet enough for a simple good-natured person to maintain.”

Lilia stopped Elfina, who looked ready to argue.

“He’s right. Lord Rogueia has another goal. Elfina might get angry, but it certainly involves a form of ‘vested interest.’ The Rogueia house has some influence, but they deliberately stay one step back from the kingdom’s power struggles. To maintain that influence, two things are necessary: money, and connections. The military’s core is controlled by the royal family and great nobles, but their reach doesn’t extend to the heroes and holy knight Paladins. Because they operate independently, having one or two connections doesn’t mean much. That’s why nobles never tried to interfere with this academy or future heroes—until my husband appeared.”

“I see. If an organization to manage heroes and holy knights were created, new rights and interests would be born, and they would gain strong influence inside the military. So Lord Rogueia has his eyes on that.”

“My husband once spoke to Lord Rogueia about the idea while he was alive. But right after that, we were both sent to the front lines. At first I thought the marquis had arranged it, but that wasn’t the case. One of my husband’s friends secretly reported it to the military. Though that person is already dead…”

Kaito closed his eyes and nodded. At the same time, he understood the expectations placed on him.

“Lord Rogueia said this: The concept is interesting. But the timing is bad… The Empire’s invasion is being held back at the Kabachi Plains. The kingdom doesn’t feel enough crisis right now to create a new organization. Unless something happens that outweighs the royal family and nobles’ deep-seated fear of a ‘hero rebellion,’ it will be difficult.”

“So he’s saying I could make it possible?”

“It’s a little different from the organization my husband envisioned, but the direction is the same. Ten heroes and ten holy knights—that was his initial goal. But with you, one hero Chevalier and ten holy knight Paladins is possible.”

That was exactly what Kaito himself aimed for. A single hero wouldn’t draw too much suspicion. Eventually, together with his holy knights, he would break the two-hundred-year stalemate and prove the effectiveness of systematic holy knight operations. For that, he first needed multiple holy knight Paladins here at the academy while building his own supply lines and intelligence network. For supplies, Sasha’s family’s Grupp Trading Company could be used. His connections as a male prostitute were slowly building an information network in noble society. He hadn’t reached the highest nobles yet, but the wives of high-ranking military officers had become regular customers. That network would prove useful someday.

“So why was I called here?”

Elfina’s voice pulled Kaito out of his thoughts. Lilia looked back and forth between them and suddenly asked:

“I heard Kaito invited you. Have you two had sex yet?”

“…What are you talking about? Onee— I mean, Headmistress Shurisupu.”

“From that reaction, it seems you haven’t. For the Kaito who pushed me down, you’re surprisingly slow, aren’t you?”

Elfina looked at Kaito in disbelief. He scratched his head and turned away. But Lilia turned a serious expression toward both of them.

“I know better than anyone—since I sent him here—that Kaito won’t settle for being an ordinary hero Chevalier. I also predicted he would try to obtain a second and third holy knight Paladin. And from the previous headmistress Reda I heard that Kaito has approached four girls—Elfina Rogueia, Sofia Volfort, Sasha Grupp, and Elsa Phalanx—asking them to become his holy knights… Is that correct?”

“It is. I’ve received approval from Sasha and Elsa. Sofia is considering it positively. Elfina… still hasn’t given me an answer.”

“Sofia has…”

Elfina looked surprised that her friend had already been approached. But Lilia’s face grew even more serious. She almost looked angry.

“Kaito. Let me confirm—you want Elfina as the coordinator, right?”

Kaito nodded, but Elfina tilted her head, not understanding. Kaito began explaining so she could follow.

“The structure of one hero with multiple holy knights isn’t a simple ‘one-to-many’ like normal romantic relationships. On the battlefield, the holy knights must work together organically under a single will to achieve great results. For them to function as an organization rather than just a group, two things are needed. One is a strong centripetal force—the core. That’s me. The fact that only I can grant the goddess’s blessing will be a powerful unifying force. But that alone isn’t enough. Each holy knight is strong and has her own personality. There will be conflicts and clashes. Someone is needed to mediate and bring them together. That’s what I expect from Elfina.”

He crossed his arms and closed his eyes.

“…At first, I planned to give that role to Roksane. She had a gentle personality but a strong core. I thought once she became my ‘legal wife’ she could fulfill the coordinator role. But because of my own foolishness, I lost her. I seriously considered returning to my hometown and taking over my father’s blacksmith shop. But I can’t do that. Roksane died as a holy knight Paladin. Therefore I must live as a hero Chevalier. As I started walking again, things slowly became clearer. When it comes to the coordinator role for a future holy knight organization, Elfina is the most suitable. That’s why I asked you.”

Elfina stayed silent, deep in thought. Lilia calmly sipped her tea.

“…I won’t say anything about Roksane because I know you feel more responsible than anyone. So making Elfina the coordinator means making her your ‘legal wife,’ correct?”

Kaito shook his head at Lilia’s question.

“My legal wife is already decided. It’s Roksane. In the future I may have children with several women. But legally, I will remain single for life. On my tombstone, I want Roksane’s name engraved as my wife.”

“So you’re saying you won’t love anyone except Roksane?”

“No. This is simply how I express my love for her. I believe the way to express love toward a woman is through ‘actions based on responsibility.’ I am responsible for Roksane’s death. I will spend my entire life fulfilling that responsibility. I am responsible for every holy knight Paladin I will have from now on. That’s why I will never let any of them die before me. And when I die, I want to give them a life they can look back on and say they were glad to become my holy knight. That is my way of expressing love.”

Lilia involuntarily turned her face away. She remembered the past.

(I’m glad I became your holy knight Paladin…)

Those were the last words she had said to her husband as he slowly breathed his last on the bed. She wiped the corner of her eye, exhaled, and returned to a calm expression before asking Elfina:

“What do you think, Elfina? Ever since you were little, listening to stories about me and my husband, you started wanting to become a holy knight. But after seeing the reality here at the academy, you felt a little disappointed, didn’t you? Heroes are only human too. They suffer and have weaknesses. There is no perfect hero Chevalier. So the question is how to choose your partner. Whether you can find happiness together with that person. What happiness means differs from person to person—what about you?”

Elfina looked at Lilia, then at Kaito.

“If happiness means holding tea parties in a safe mansion or attending balls… then I wouldn’t be here. I want a life full of shocking events and constant stimulation—an exciting life. With him… I think I might be able to have that kind of life.”

Lilia nodded happily and clapped her hands.

“Alright, let’s leave it here for today. Elfina, there’s no need to rush. Today was a good opportunity to get to know the man named Kaito. From now on, take your time understanding each other.”

The two stood up and bowed. They walked down the hallway in silence. Suddenly Elfina stopped.

“Hey. How far did you go with Sofia?”

“Hm? We didn’t have sex. We just touched each other on the bed a bit.”

“I… I see…”

Her face turned red and she crossed her arms, swaying her body slightly. That gesture alone told him everything he needed to know.

“How about it? Want to try too, Elfina? It’ll deepen our understanding.”

“W-well… if it’s not all the way… then okay.”

Kaito’s arm reached out and grabbed Elfina’s shoulder. Without resisting, she leaned into him.

The golden-haired goddess who had carefully finished bathing entered the room. Under the moonlight streaming through the window, she slowly removed her clothes. Down to just her pure white panties, she covered her abundant breasts with her arms. Her cheeks were flushed with embarrassment. Her flawless white skin looked almost blue in the moonlight. Her divine beauty left Kaito speechless.

“D-don’t stare so much. It’s embarrassing.”

Kaito also stripped down to his underwear and faced her. His chest muscles were well-developed, abs sharply defined, veins visible on his arms. Looking at his body, Elfina thought: she had heard he had been training like a man possessed ever since that incident. She remembered Sofia saying he had “no talent with the sword.” Yet this man was still desperately trying to become stronger. The body before her was the embodiment of his sense of responsibility as a hero Chevalier.

“…You’ve been training hard.”

“Yeah. A holy knight Paladin died protecting me. If I had been stronger, that never would have happened. Elfina, don’t die. You have to watch me die first.”

“I still haven’t said I’ll become your holy knight Paladin though…”

Even as she said that, Elfina stepped closer to him. Strong arms wrapped around her slender waist and pulled her in. He stroked her shimmering golden hair and cupped her cheek. Their lips met.

A glowing white naked body lay on the bed. Even on her back, her large breasts kept their perfect shape. Despite their size, her areolas were small and faint pink, almost fading into her skin. But the buds that should have been at their centers were missing. They were inverted.

“Uuu… that’s why I didn’t want you to see…”

“What are you saying? It’s a magnificent sight.”

He leaned over her, savoring skin no one had ever touched. The fruits that overflowed his palms were soft yet springy enough to push his fingers back. When he stroked around the areolas, the beautiful goddess began to moan.

“Fuu… nn…”

He slid his middle finger into the sunken part and rubbed gently. When he pulled it out, the delicate pink bud popped out with a soft pon. He rolled it with his tongue and sucked. Elfina’s skin began to flush. The moonlight-pale skin gained a red tint as sweet breaths started escaping her. He brought his face close, staring into her eyes. He gazed at her moist blue eyes clouded with lust.

“Kaito… you look like a wild beast.”

“Yeah. You look so delicious, Elfina, my male instincts are going crazy. I want to devour you completely…”

“No. Not all the way… anything else is fine, do whatever you want…”

Saying that, the beauty turned her face to the side and closed her eyes. He stroked from her neck to her collarbone, once again admiring her body. It was perfect beauty, as if the goddess Velos had poured her heart and soul into creating it. Roksane’s body had been endlessly lewd and full of flavor, but Elfina’s had a finished beauty that made him hesitate to touch it. He cupped both breasts with his hands and kneaded them. They bounced back firmly. He scooped them from below and shook them, making them jiggle. The feeling was addictive.

“Beautiful…”

He muttered and latched onto the swaying fruits. Not enough to hurt, he roughly savored the taste of both. Elfina wrapped both arms around his head.

“Nn… nnn…”

Pleasure welled up, heating her body. Her nipples were gently bitten while his hand stroked from her flanks to her hip bones. Heat spread through her lower body. His fingers traced the three vertical lines of her abs, slowly moving downward. They reached her lower body. Through the thin silk, he stimulated her flower garden.

“Hiiun…!”

She jerked at the first stimulation. Their lips overlapped, tongues intertwining as he continued caressing her.

(No… this feels… so good…)

Wet sounds began. The thin silk absorbed her honey, soaking the fingers moving over it. His finger slid up and down along her slit, flicking the sensitive nub at the top. The exquisite stimulation overwhelmed Elfina. Her flower garden overflowed with nectar, begging to be taken.

“Next…”

“Eh… ah, no!”

Kaito grabbed both of Elfina’s legs and lifted them. A full mating press position. Her flower garden, barely hidden by the flimsy panties, was exposed right in front of him. She resisted from overwhelming embarrassment.

“Nooo… this position is too embarrassing.”

“No good. Right now you’re my woman, Elfina. I want to see the embarrassing side of the marquis’s daughter. Come on, hold your own legs. Show me.”

“Kuuu… you pervert…”

Blushing furiously, Elfina still held the backs of her knees herself. Her folds and slit stood out clearly. Supporting her with one hand, Kaito kneaded the swollen mound through the fabric. Honey gushed past the cloth.

“Smells good. Elfina’s scent. The aroma of a top-quality female. Looks delicious…”

He pressed his mouth against the fabric. At that instant, Elfina came. Her body jerked, sweet aching pleasure spreading through her. For the man drinking from her, her flower garden overflowed generously. As he sucked with wet chuu chuu sounds, she couldn’t stop letting out joyful cries. While savoring the supreme taste, Kaito untied the strings holding the thin silk.

“Elfina, I want to see all of you.”

The final barrier was breached. The thin cloth was peeled away, leaving sticky strands. A breathtaking view opened up. The marquis’s daughter—who a commoner like him should never have been able to reach—was willingly exposing her flower garden. A modest golden bush spread over her mound, and at the center of her pure white skin bloomed a beautiful crimson flower. Honey dripped from it, as if begging to be drunk.

Thump. A powerful impulse hit him. He heard the voice of the beast sleeping inside him—the same voice he had heard with Lilia and with Roksane. For a moment his vision turned red.

(Devour her. Eat her completely. Consume the female flesh before you however you like…)

He clenched his teeth hard. He had to tame this beast. If he didn’t, he might repeat the same mistake. It was an insanely intense moment, but he barely kept his reason. Elfina kept her eyes closed, shamefully exposing herself. He spread her flower garden with his fingers and plunged his tongue into the overflowing honey.

“Haa… aaahhh!”

It tasted incredible. Elfina’s increasingly clear moans further fueled his appetite. He thoroughly savored the sweet nectar clinging to his tongue. Just a little penetration made her folds wriggle. How heavenly it would feel to put himself inside here. He carefully licked around the entrance too. He tenderly caressed the completely unpigmented petals and caught the joy bean between his lips. He indulged in her honey until even he was shocked at himself, then finally lowered Elfina’s legs. Breathing heavily, he climbed over her and positioned his hips between her thighs.

“Ah… ah…”

Staring into each other’s eyes, Elfina let out sweet breaths. His hot, throbbing cock advanced and kissed her flower garden. It stopped there, sliding up and down along her slit.

“Elfina, do you understand? If I push my hips forward like this, you become my holy knight Paladin. You become my woman alone. So, what do you want me to do?”

Elfina felt like she was going crazy. Her mind knew she shouldn’t. But her body craved it. Her pleasure-soaked female body was telling her: if she accepted this, she would receive joy greater than anything before.

(I want it… I want it… thrust it inside me like this… violate me completely with your cock…)

Her womb was screaming. All she had to do was say one word: I want it. She never knew coupling between man and woman could be this meltingly sweet. She didn’t think she could endure this pleasure.

(I can’t… I can’t anymore… I want to become this man’s woman…)

Elfina’s lips moved. But just as she was about to say it, Kaito pulled his hips back.

“Eh…”

Was it female instinct? Elfina unconsciously wrapped her legs around his waist.

(No… I don’t want it to end like this, so frustrating…)

But Kaito untangled her legs and shifted his body. Then he sank his middle finger into her soaked entrance.

“Hiiiii…!”

Elfina trembled violently. It wasn’t what she had wanted, but it was the stimulation she craved. He pushed it all the way to the base, then slowly withdrew.

“Haa… ahnn…”

Her face melted in pleasure. He sucked on her swaying breasts while pumping his finger in and out.

“Does it feel good?”

“Yes. It feels… incredibly good…”

“Even one finger is so tight. And your folds are clinging so hard. Elfina, this pussy of yours is a deadly weapon for pleasing men. Any guy other than me would cum instantly.”

“I-I don’t know…”

She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. In the middle of this pleasure, she wanted their lips to meet. Wet squish squish sounds filled the room.

(I’m… making such lewd noises…)

Soon something rose from deep inside her body. At the same time, an embarrassing urge assaulted her.

“Ah… ah… no… Kaito, please. Stop your hand.”

But his finger didn’t stop. Instead it attacked her most sensitive spot, making the sweet pleasure even stronger. Along with the tsunami of joy, a tingling sensation grew rapidly.

“Aah… nooo… I can’t… I’m gonna… I’m gonna cum…!”

She tried desperately to hold it back, but the movement continued. The rising pleasure soon left her unable to think of anything.

“Nooo… no more… I’m cumming… ahaa… I’m cumming—aaaahhh!”

Her head went pure white as her back arched violently. At the same time, psshh! she sprayed clear liquid. His fingers kept moving with wet sounds, making her squirt again and again. Finally the spurting stopped. Elfina lay limply on the bed, her body still trembling.

“That was amazing, Elfina…”

He whispered in her ear. She nodded once, weakly.